Sexual assault

Gisele Pelicot

Abusers Aren’t Always Powerful Men. Some of Them Are Regular Guys. Abusers Aren’t Always Powerful Men. Some of Them Are Regular Guys.

Even in an age when feminist rhetoric is familiar, 
violence against women is all too common.

Oct 31, 2024 / Column / Katha Pollitt

A photo of three women in a crowd at a protest of Harvey Weinstein, one holding a sign reading

It Shouldn’t Matter How You Got Too Drunk to Consent It Shouldn’t Matter How You Got Too Drunk to Consent

The message in New York State law is clear: If you get drunk or high or wasted, whatever happens is your fault. We have a chance to change that.

May 31, 2024 / Katha Pollitt

Demonstrators gather to stage a protest in support of Palestinians at Times Square in New York, United States on April 05, 2024.

The Gaza Crisis We’re Not Talking About The Gaza Crisis We’re Not Talking About

There is disturbing evidence of a sustained Israeli campaign of sexual violence against men and boys.

May 13, 2024 / Ira Memaj

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest outside of the Washington Hilton, the site of the Annual White House Correspondents Dinner, on April 27, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

It’s Time to Stop Ignoring the Sexual Violence Happening in Gaza It’s Time to Stop Ignoring the Sexual Violence Happening in Gaza

As long as our outrage is selectively assigned only to specific victims in specific contexts, we are lying to ourselves about the reality of violence in war zones.

May 7, 2024 / Laura Charney

Harvey Weinstein Court Hearing - Los Angeles, CA

Harvey Weinstein’s Reversal of Fortune Harvey Weinstein’s Reversal of Fortune

Though the movie mogul’s acquittal stunned the New York media, anyone who attended the trial without blinders could have seen it coming.

May 1, 2024 / JoAnn Wypijewski

How New Title IX Rules Leave Sexual Assault Survivors in the Lurch

How New Title IX Rules Leave Sexual Assault Survivors in the Lurch How New Title IX Rules Leave Sexual Assault Survivors in the Lurch

The Biden administration’s updates to the regulations have laudable aims, but one blind spot leaves victims vulnerable to retaliatory lawsuits.

Apr 25, 2024 / Ray Epstein

E Jean Carroll, smiling, outside a courtroom.

The Pain and Paradox of E. Jean Carroll’s Crusade Against Trump The Pain and Paradox of E. Jean Carroll’s Crusade Against Trump

In her second go-round, seeking damages for his lies about her, the accomplished journalist had to prove she was damaged.

Jan 19, 2024 / Joan Walsh

Holly Maguigan stands at a podium smiling, giving a speech.

When Women Fought Back: Holly Maguigan’s Legacy in the Law When Women Fought Back: Holly Maguigan’s Legacy in the Law

Her work forced the law to embrace a feminist conception of danger, threat, and defending yourself and your family.

Dec 14, 2023 / Katherine Franke

Protesters hold a banner reading

The Architect of the Adult Survivors Act Talks About Bringing Justice and What’s Next The Architect of the Adult Survivors Act Talks About Bringing Justice and What’s Next

The Adult Survivors Act opened a one-year window for people who suffered sexual abuse to bring civil suits against their abusers—and nearly 3,000 people did so.

Nov 30, 2023 / Joan Walsh

Young person holds a poster that reads

I Founded Student Activists Against Sexual Assault. A New Lawsuit Could Make My Work Impossible. I Founded Student Activists Against Sexual Assault. A New Lawsuit Could Make My Work Impossible.

A defamation suit against leaders of an anti–sexual assault campus group could allow assailants to weaponize the court system against advocates.

Aug 14, 2023 / Ray Epstein

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